It’s bushfire season, which means the burning of wood and bushland releases harmful gases, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and a range of organic compounds. This not only causes a threat to your home and the environment, but it also affects the air quality, irritating sensitive airways and triggers asthma. Children, the elderly, smokers and people with existing heart and lung condition, including asthma are usually the first to feel the effects of bushfire smoke and particle pollution. As a result, Australia Wide First Aid encourage you to take extra care the during summer/bushfire season.

Visit your doctor and update your Asthma Action Plan prior to the burn off/bushfire season. This will help you identify your asthma and know how to manage it well.

Make sure you know how to perform First Aid for Asthma to yourself and others around you. Let others around you know you have asthma and educate them First Aid for Asthma too.

Continue using your asthma preventer mediation, even when you are feeling well.

Keep an extra reliever puffer with your most precious items, such as your wallet, keys, medical papers and photographs. Do not place your puffer in your car as extreme heat will make the medication ineffective.

How To Minimise Your Exposure to Bushfire Smoke:

Unless you are told to evacuate, stay inside when there is bushfire smoke in the environment. Close all of the windows, doors and block all air vents.

Put your home and car air-conditioner on ‘recycle’ to minimise the risk of smoke entering your home or car.

Avoid physical activity outdoors.

What Do I Do If I Am Exposed To Bushfire Smoke?

Stay low to the ground, and wear a face mask. If a face mask is not available, hold a think cloth over your nose and mouth to prevent breathing in a large amount of smoke.

Large fires may smother in an area for days after the fire has been put out. If you experience asthma symptoms in the days following a fire, follow your Asthma Action Plan and First Aid for Asthma.

If you develop symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, seek medical assistance immediately.

LATEST POSTS

ABOUT US

Australia Wide First Aid is a registered training organisation (RTO NO: 31961), providing you with accredited first aid training and quality first aid supplies. When you partner with Australia Wide First Aid, you can be confident that your first aid solution will be delivered in a professional, efficient and friendly manner.

Available Courses in for

Close

Change Location or Course

Please make your selection below

Location

Course

☹

No Seats Available

Unfortunately this course is so popular we don't have any seats available for you to book into right now, but we are always scheduling more courses to meet the demand. Please give us a call on 1300 336 613 for more information.